Why Octopus Has 3 Hearts

By: EjazUlHaqBhat

Image: Pexels

Octopuses have three hearts, which is partly a consequence of having blue blood

Image: Pexels

Their two peripheral hearts pump blood through the gills, where it picks up oxygen

Image: Pexels

A central heart then circulates the oxygenated blood to the rest of the body to provide energy for organs and muscles

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Two peripheral hearts that pump blood to the gills to pick up oxygen are called branchial hearts

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The central heart that pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body is called systemic heart

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Octopuses have blue blood because of the copper-based protein hemocyanin, which carries oxygen in their blood

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Hemocyanin is more efficient in transporting oxygen in colder temperatures, but less efficient than hemoglobin at normal temperatures

Image: Pexels

When they swim, their systemic heart stops beating, which causes them to tire quickly. This is why octopuses prefer to crawl over swimming

Image: Pexels

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